Methods and systems for producing a 3-D rotational image from a 2-D image

Abstract

Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture consistent with the present invention produce a three-dimensional rotational image from a two-dimensional image including a plurality of objects. Each object is assigned to one of a plurality of sequential layers that correspond to visually depicted depths of the objects in the two-dimensional image. The objects are rotatively displayed to produce the three-dimensional rotational image.

1. A method in a data processing system for producing a three-dimensional rotational image from a two-dimensional image including a plurality of objects, the method comprising the steps of:
 assigning, by a processor, each object to one of a plurality of sequential layers that correspond to visually depicted depths of the objects in the two-dimensional image; 
 rotating, by a processor, the objects of each layer around a common rotational axis, the common rotational axis being the common rotational axis for the plurality of layers, to form the three-dimensional rotational image having a maximum rotational angle around the common rotational axis with each object in a first of the layers having a minimum rotational angle and objects in layers other than the first layer having a rotational angle greater than the minimum rotational angle and less than or equal to the maximum rotational angle; 
 rotating, by a processor, the three-dimensional rotational image around a first rotational axis; and 
 displaying the three-dimensional rotational image, 
 wherein the first rotational axis is selected by a user. 
 
   
   
     2. A computer-readable medium containing instructions that cause a data processing system to perform a method for producing a three-dimensional rotational image from a two-dimensional image including a plurality of objects, the method comprising the steps of:
 assigning each object to one of a plurality of sequential layers that correspond to visually depicted depths of the objects in the two-dimensional image; 
 rotating the objects of each layer around a common rotational axis, the common rotational axis being the common rotational axis for the plurality of layers, to form the three-dimensional rotational image having a maximum rotational angle around the common rotational axis with each object in a first of the layers having a minimum rotational angle and objects in layers other than the first layer having a rotational angle greater than the minimum rotational angle and less than or equal to the maximum rotational angle; and 
 rotating the three-dimensional rotational image around a first rotational axis; and 
 displaying the three-dimensional rotational image, 
 wherein the first rotational axis is selected by a user. 
 
   
   
     3. A data processing system for producing a three-dimensional rotational image from a two-dimensional image including a plurality of objects, the data processing system comprising:
 a memory comprising a program that
 assigns each object to one of a plurality of sequential layers that correspond to visually depicted depths of the objects in the two-dimensional image, 
 rotates the objects of each layer around a common rotational axis, the common rotational axis being the common rotational axis for the plurality of layers, to form the three-dimensional rotational image having a maximum rotational angle around the common rotational axis with each object in a first of the layers having a minimum rotational angle and objects in layers other than the first layer having a rotational angle greater than the minimum rotational angle and less than or equal to the maximum rotational angle; 
 rotating the three-dimensional rotational image around a first rotational axis; and 
 displays the three-dimensional rotational image; and 
 
 a processing unit that runs the program, 
 wherein the first rotational axis is selected by a user. 
 
   
   
     4. A data processing system for producing a three-dimensional rotational image from a two-dimensional image including a plurality of objects, the data processing system comprising:
 means for assigning each object to one of a plurality of sequential layers that correspond to visually depicted depths of the objects in the two-dimensional image; 
 means for rotating the objects of each layer around a common rotational axis, the common rotational axis being the common rotational axis for the plurality of layers, to form the three-dimensional rotational image having a maximum rotational angle around the common rotational axis with each object in a first of the layers having a minimum rotational angle and objects in layers other than the first layer having a rotational angle greater than the minimum rotational angle and less than or equal to the maximum rotational angle; 
 means for rotating the three-dimensional rotational image around a first rotational axis; and 
 means for displaying the three-dimensional rotational image, 
 wherein the first rotational axis is selected by a user. 
 
   
   
     5. A method in a data processing system for producing a three-dimensional rotational image from a two-dimensional image including a plurality of objects, the method comprising the steps of:
 assigning, by a processor, each object to one of a plurality of sequential layers that correspond to visually depicted depths of the objects in the two-dimensional image; 
 rotating, by a processor, the objects of each layer around a common rotational axis, the common rotational axis being the common rotational axis for the plurality of layers, to form the three-dimensional rotational image having a maximum rotational angle around the common rotational axis with each object in a first of the layers having a minimum rotational angle and objects in layers other than the first layer having a rotational angle greater than the minimum rotational angle and less than or equal to the maximum rotational angle; and 
 displaying the three-dimensional rotational image, 
 wherein each object can be independently rotated in one of a first direction and a second direction about the common rotational axis, and 
 wherein the three-dimensional rotational image is rotated around a first rotational axis selected by a user. 
 
   
   
     6. A computer-readable medium containing instructions that cause a data processing system to perform a method for producing a three-dimensional rotational image from a two-dimensional image including a plurality of objects, the method comprising the steps of:
 assigning each object to one of a plurality of sequential layers that correspond to visually depicted depths of the objects in the two-dimensional image; 
 rotating the objects of each layer around a common rotational axis, the common rotational axis being the common rotational axis for the plurality of layers, to form the three-dimensional rotational image having a maximum rotational angle around the common rotational axis with each object in a first of the layers having a minimum rotational angle and objects in layers other than the first layer having a rotational angle greater than the minimum rotational angle and less than or equal to the maximum rotational angle; and 
 displaying the three-dimensional rotational image, 
 wherein each object can be independently rotated in one of a first direction and a second direction about the common rotational axis, and 
 wherein the three-dimensional rotational image is rotated around a first rotational axis selected by a user. 
 
   
   
     7. A data processing system for producing a three-dimensional rotational image from a two-dimensional image including a plurality of objects, the data processing system comprising:
 a memory comprising a program that
 assigns each object to one of a plurality of sequential layers that correspond to visually depicted depths of the objects in the two-dimensional image, 
 rotates the objects of each layer around a common rotational axis, the common rotational axis being the common rotational axis for the plurality of layers, to form the three-dimensional rotational image having a maximum rotational angle around the common rotational axis with each object in a first of the layers having a minimum rotational angle and objects in layers other than the first layer having a rotational angle greater than the minimum rotational angle and less than or equal to the maximum rotational angle; and 
 displays the three-dimensional rotational image, 
 wherein each object can be independently rotated in one of a first direction and a second direction about the common rotational axis, and 
 wherein the three-dimensional rotational image is rotated around a first rotational axis selected by a user; and 
 
 a processing unit that runs the program.